DESPITE being slightly battered by Typhoon Mario last month, MMSU is still expecting a bountiful rice production target, boosting chances that it could help sustain the staple grain consumption of the province this year.

According to M. Ben T. Cocson, staff of the Rice Production Project, said the university will likely produce 45 tons (900 sacks) of unmilled rice this year, which is above its previous average production of 39 tons (780 sacks).

Since the university is selling at a slightly lower price than the local commercial markets, grain traders in the province are looking for signs that they might not need to import rice from other provinces, which usually give potentially exceeding prices above those imposed by the National Food Authority.

Last August, the university planted six hectares located in different areas in the main campus in Batac with high yielding varieties such as Sl-11H, NSIC R286, PSB IR 42, PSB IR 64, NSIC 214, and NSIC Rc 272 for rice production with. These varieties are also resistant to common pests and diseases.

Yearly, MMSU joins the DA in boosting rice production in the province. In the first quarter of 2014 alone, MMSU contributed in the 4.10 percent increase in rice production.

In the previous copping seasons, the university’s rice output was boosted by ample rains that led to the bountiful harvests. This year, the repair and rehabilitation of irrigation systems in the campus, along with better rains, were the primary factors behind the university’s farm production sector’s recovery. It must be noted, however, that the repair and rehabilitation of already existing irrigation canals in the main campus are routine tasks of the Agribusiness Section led by Dr. Jaime Zalazar.